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This time warning bells rang even louder. I wanted to rush home and check my necklace. “Have ya got a necklace that for sure doesn’t have that symbol? I’ll buy one from ya if ya have it.”

“Sure. I’ll just go get one of the new ones for you,” she said and rushed happily off.

I took that moment to check the calendar. Sarah had marked several vacation days on it that covered a two-week period. She would be gone for several more days. I returned it to its spot when I heard the clerk returning.

She carried a new necklace and the box it came in.

Smiling, she held it out for me to see. “This is one of the nicest ones we received. In the new shipment, the stones easily come out. It’s like the early ones shipped from an entirely different company.”

I took the new necklace in my hand and easily popped out the smoky topaz stone. I could shape any stone to fit inside it. The necklace would outlast several. I inspected the topaz, saw no symbol, and returned the stone to the metal pocket made for it. This necklace was much smaller than the one I possessed.

I retrieved the credit card from my back pocket and handed it over. Moments later, the necklace was back in its original box and bagged.

“It was a pleasure talking to ya. Tell Sarah that Aran said ya deserved a raise.”

Her giggle followed me out.

Desperate to get home as fast as I could, I flagged a taxi down. The ice cream treat I’d promised myself would have to wait until next time.

Conn and Mulanhad a lead on a cave and had gone hiking to look for it.

Plan A to get Sarah’s help hadn’t worked. Plan B would be finding someone to do an online search for the covens. I sincerely missed my daughter who loved doing this kind of task.

On a whim, I climbed up the stairs to the second floor of my house. Climbing them was a workout all by itself because the fancy stairs were steep. At least I got to the top without huffing and puffing. I was proud that two days of sitting hadn’t set me back too much.

The door to Dylan’s room stood open when I stopped. Looking like a cartoon character in his red jacket, he sat feet on the floor in one of Henry’s magickal chairs staring out of the window.

“I need technological help, Dylan. Are ya interested?”

He turned his head to look at me. “Anything is better than sitting here brooding about what I can’t change.”

I nodded in approval. “I need ya to search for information on Salem covens. I have their names. Most specifically, I want the one Sarah Templeton belongs to. I also need to know where her coven meets.”

“Right,” Dylan said, rubbing his jaw as he stood. “And how many months do I have to get this information for you?”

I grinned at his complaints. “I need it today, far darrig. Ya can use the desk in the library. I’ll bring my computer to ya.”

He laughed. “Okay, but Henry’s not going to like me using your personal stuff. I’ll need your passwords.”

“No worries. I don’t use any.”

Dylan stopped walking to stare at me. “But you have to use passwords, Aran. Everyone has to use them. It’s critical to protect your online privacy.”

I snorted. “No, ya don’t. All that stuff is a good idea if ya’re worried about people breaking into yer private stuff but they’re not mandatory to use the machine. I’ve taken extra measures to make sure all that complicated shit is turned off.”

Dylan rolled his eyes as we started down the stairs. “That’s like inviting thieves to rob you. Maybe I’ll take a look at your financials while I’m doing your research since you don’t feel the need to protect yourself.”

“Ya won’t find any financials on my computer. I don’t keep them on there. I keep the private stuff on my phone.”

Dylan sighed. “Yes, but Aran, your phone syncs to your computer.”

“I swear. Ya sound just like Conn and Mulan. I don’t need a technology lecture this afternoon. What I need is help finding those covens, Dylan. My friend, Sarah, may be in trouble.” Or in the middle of some hot mess.

Goddess, I hoped that wasn’t the case.

Dylan held up a hand to stop my ranting. “Fine. Go get your computer. I’ll wait in the library for you. It may take me a while to find something to rest my feet on. I’m not as tall as you are and I don’t feel like changing forms.”

“Fine. I’ll be right there. If ya can’t find a stool for yer feet, I’ll ask Henry for help. I’m sure there’s an empty box lying around somewhere. Or maybe we can drag one of those magickal chairs from the fireplace over to the desk.”